SRISAILAM BHRAMARAMBA TEMPLE
Srisailam is one of the eighteen famous Shakti peethas, the Shri Bhramaramba Temple in Srisailam is considered the abode of Siva and Shakthi, whose Greeva (neck) is believed to have fallen here. Located in the scenic Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is one of the most ancient kshetras in India and rests on the right side of river Krishna in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
God Mallikarjuna Swamy, one of the twelve Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva, and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi, one of the eighteen Maha sakthis, are the presiding Deities of this kshetram. The co-existence of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one Temple complexis a unique feature of this kshetram and it is one of its kind.
Mythological legends: According to ancient scriptures, Ganesha and Kartikeya, the two sons of Shiva and Parvati, had a serious argument about which of them is greater and sought the opinion of their parents. They were told that who so ever tours the three worlds and comes back first will be declared the best. Immediately Kartikeya sets of riding on his peacock. Ganesha on the other hand riding his mouse makes Pradakshina (Circumambulation) of Lord Shiva and Parvati. As this is the equivalent of touring the three worlds, the pleased parents declared him the winner. When Kartikeya returns after doing the pradakshina of the three worlds and learns that Ganesha was declared the winner, he gets angry and leaves Kailash and goes and resides at Srisailam. Unable to bear the separation from her son Devi Parvati also goes to reside at Srishailam. Soon Lord Shiva and Ganesha also go there to stay. Hence Srishailam is a place where the entire family of Lord Shiva stay permanently.
Patalaganga is how the Krishna river here is called. According to the scriptures, as many people were taking bath in Ganga river and washing off their sins, Ganga felt that she should purify herself by washing off the sins of people accumulated in her. So she appeared here at Lord Shivas feet and purified herself. There is a place where the pilgrims can take bath in Patalaganga. One has to climb down six hundred steep rock steps to go there. Fortunately there is also a ropeway by which one can go down and come back.
Sakshi Ganapati: At the entrance to the holy town of Srisailam is the ancient temple of Sakshi Ganapati and all devotees visit it. It is said that He records about your visit to Srisailam and if you don’t visit His temple your visit to Srisailam goes unrecorded!! He is also said to be a witness to all that you have done.
Because of the holy vibrations of this ancient place, Ganesha here is said to be an Icchha Siddhi Ganesha or wish fulfilling Ganesha.
You can get poojas performed here.
Timings: 6 am to 9pm.
According to Agni Puranam, the Demon King Hiranyakasyapa atoned for his sins at the Kshetram and worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy. This Kshetram then became his Puja Mandiram. According to the Skanda Purana, during their exile, Sri Rama with Seetha Devi visited this Kshetram and sanctified Sahasra Lingas (One thousand Lingas) here. As per ancient literature, the Pandavas spent some time in this Kshetramduring their exile and worshipped the Deities. It is also believed that Bhagavan Dattatreya did his penance at this Kshetram and at now a SthalaVriksham (tree) is located in the temple complex called Dattatreya Vriksham.
History
Srisailam is considered timeless. Interpretation of ancient literature uncover that the history of Srisailam begins with the first kingdom in South India and also the earliest rulers of Andhradesa, the Satavahanas.
From the inscriptions of Kadamba Santi Varma,it can be deciphered that the Srisailam region was originally a part of the Pallava Kingdom (AD 248-575) and consequently formed the first self-governingterritory of Kadambas (AD 340-450).Many of the inscriptions and the architectural qualities of the temple complex testify the benefaction of the Chalukyas (AD 624-848). The Kakatiyas (AD 953-1323) also made their contribution towards the growth of the temple. However, the Golden Age of Srisailam is said to be during the period of Reddi Kings (AD 1325-1448).
The temple management have beautifully reconstructed the temple complex and maintain it very well making it the most beautiful and best managed Jyotirlinga Kshetra. It is beautifully lit up at night.
Chatrapathi Sivaji the great Maratha King visited Srisailam in 1674 AD and re-established the festivals of the temple and took up renovations for certain parts of the temple. The north gopuram of the temple is said to have been constructed by him.
This region was subsequently conquered by the Moghal Emperors and was given as Jagir to the Nawabs of Kurnool. Later, this place came under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. Eventually, the Nizam surrendered the Kurnool District to the British East India Company in 1800 AD and Major Manro took charge of the District and assigned the management to the authorities of the District Court.In 1929, a committee was constituted by the British Government for the management of the temple. In 1949,the Endowments Department took control of the temple and brought back its past grandeur after it was opened by the road during the year 1956.
Main Temple
The main temple complex comprises of separate temples of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba, several other temples, pillared halls, mandapas, springs etc., What invigorates this entire complex is a magnificent Prakaram wall made up of massive stones. The Prakaram wall encloses four Dwaras (main gates) scaled by the Gopuras.
At the centre of the temple complex is an enclosure underneath the principal gates. This enclosure has Salamandapas at the northern and southern sides.
The inner court yard consists of Nandimandapa, Veerasiromandapa, the temple of Mallikarjuna, the temple of Bhramaramba. All of them are lined from east to west. Other temples such as the temple of Vriddha Mallikarjuna, Sahasra Lingeswara, Arthanariswara, Veerabhadra, Uma Maheswara, Pandava Prathista temples (group of five temples) and Navabrahma temples (nine temples) etc., are also set in the inner courtyard.
Significance
This temple holds a special significance for marriage. Devotees offer their prayers in this temple with the hope of getting married and for longevity of their married lives. Married ladies perform specific pujas for a flourishing and prosperous married life.
Kadalivanam caves
Kadalivanam Caves which are 22 km away is mentioned in Skanda Purana, Shiva Bhaktha vijayam and other scriptures have mentioned Kadalivanam. Great devotees of Lord Shiva like Akka Mahadevi and Allama Prabhu have meditated at this place. Narasimha Swami, an incarnetion of Dattatreya, meditated here and took Mahasamadhi (will fully quitting ones body) at this place. The place is really beautiful.
Narasimha Swami at Kadalivanam
Types of Darshans
- SuprabhathaDarshan
- MahamangalaDarshan
- AthiseegaraDarshan
Poojas at the temple: Poojas can be booked online in advance from http://www.srisailamonline.com
The following are the poojas they perform.
- Kumkuma Puja (at Srichakram)
- LakshaKumkumarchana(at Srichakram)
- Kumkumarchana (to Bhramaramba Devi at the Mandapam)
- Gouri Vratham
- Chandi Homam
- Navavarana Puja
- Suvarnapushparchana
- Aksharabhyasam
- Sahasranama Puja (in Prakara Mandapam)
- Rudrabhishekam
- Mrutyunjaya Homam
- Sarpa dosha nivarana pooja
Festivals
Ugadi Celebrations:These celeberationsgo on over a period of five days, beginning on Chitra SuddhaPadyami (three days before Ugadi), generally falling in March.
Sankranthi Uthsavams:is celebrated for a period of seven days in the month of Pushyam (tenth month of Indian calendar), usually falling in January.
Devi Navaratris 9 days festival.
Timings
6:00 AM to 3:30 PM & 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Accommodation
There are many cottages and complex of suites, ranging from normal to A/C, are offered by the Devastanam administration at reasonable rates.
How to reach
By Air
The nearest Airport is Hyderabad (230 K.M.) from where there are frequent buses to Srisailam every day.
By Rail
Tarlupadu, Cumbum and Markapur are the nearest railway stations.
By Road
Srisailam is well connected by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (A.P.S.R.T.C.) Buses not only from all corners of the State but also from Bangalore, Chennai etc. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (K.S.R.T.C) also operates buses from major cities of that state. Winding ghat roads through the green jungles and the ever flowing Krishna river makes it a very pleasant journey.
Nearby places to visit
- Sakshi Ganapathi: Located about 3 kms from Srisailam. It is believed that Ganapathi in this temple keeps regular account of all the pilgrims to tender Sakshyam (evidence) of their visit to this Kshetram.
- Hatakeswaram: This is a scenic spot which is about 5 kms from Srisailam. There is a temple dedicated to Sri Hatakeswara Swamy with a stone structure dating back to 11th-13th Centuries A.D.
- Phaladhara Panchadhara: Located about 4 kms from Srisailam, this spot is in a narrow valley waylaid by a flight of steps where underground streams of pure water with musical sounds echoin the surroundings.
- Sikareswaram: Located at about 8 kms from the main temple, it the is highest peak of Srisailam at a height of 2830 feet above sea level. There is a temple dedicated to Sri Veera Shikara Swamy and known as Sikhareswara Swamy.
- Panchamathams: Located about 2 kms to the west of the main temple, these five mathas are namely Ghanta Matham, BheemasankaraMatham, VibhootiMatham, RudrakshaMatham and SarangadharaMatham. In ancient times, these mathas acted as educational institutions devoted to higher learning in various branches and gratified to the intellectual and spiritual needs of the society.
- Patalaganga is how the Krishna river here is called. According to the scriptures, as many people were taking bath in Ganga river and washing off their sins, Ganga felt that she should purify herself by washing off the sins of people accumulated in her. So she appeared here at Lord Shivas feet and purified herself. There is a place where the pilgrims can take bath in Patalaganga. One has to climb down six hundred steep rock steps to go there. Fortunately there is also a ropeway by which one can go down and come back.
